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Application overview, required documents
Application overview
Applications are accepted no earlier than three months before your planned departure date. You must submit your application in person at a VFS Global centre (private third-party service provider for governments worldwide). It will then be forwarded to the French consulate for processing.
- Step 1: Fill out the online visa application.
- Step 2: Only if you are a resident of Quebec, request your attestation de séjour de la RAMQ.
- Step 3: Book an appointment at a VFS centre.
- Step 4: Submit your completed application and supporting documents to VFS.
- Step 5: Await approval, your passport will be mailed back with the visa inside.
Required documents
When submitting your application at the VFS Global centre, you must present the following supporting documents:
- Your Canadian passport. It must be signed and valid for at least 3 months beyond the end date of your stay in France. It must also contain at least 2 blank pages for the visa.
- One recent ID picture, taken against a plain and light background. The photo must follow the guidelines outlined by the Consulate General of France in Canada.
- Cover letter written in English or French addressed to the Consulate General of France explaining why you are applying for a WHV. You should also state that you commit to respecting the validity period of your visa. Learn more.
- Proof of funds of at least €2,500 (or equivalent in CAD) in your name to cover your arrival in France.
- Commitment to leave France. If you have bought a return or onward flight to leave France, you may use that as proof of commitment. Otherwise, plan to show an additional €1,000 of savings (on top of the required minimum) to prove that you have the means to purchase a flight later on.
- Proof of private medical insurance covering health care, hospitalization, and repatriation for the full duration of your stay in France (further explained in chapter 3).
- Residents of Quebec must also provide their attestation de séjour de la RAMQ.
Canadian applicants are exempt from providing a medical certificate and criminal record check. To learn more, read Important tips for Canadians applying for a France Working Holiday Visa.
You must also print the following documents, which will be available to you once you complete your online application form.
- The VFS appointment confirmation receipt
- Completed visa application form, dated and signed. You’ll get a copy of the form after completing your application on France-Visas.
- Receipt of visa application. It is provided in the same PDF document as your application and contains a list of documents to bring with you. See the following image.
To learn more about the mandatory private medical insurance, read chapter 3. Otherwise, chapter 4 will explain how to start your online visa application.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV insurance since 2005. They’ve already covered thousands of working holiday makers, to France and elsewhere!
(62) Comments
Hi, I’m currently in the process of waiting for a VFS appointment slot to open up.
The only thing I’m unsure of is do I need to bring proof of accommodation to the VFS appointment or can I book my accommodation once I’ve been granted a visa and in my hands?
Multiple tutorials are giving me varying instructions. Some say to book inward plane ticket/accommodation to show proof at the VFS appointment, some don’t. As I would like to buy a plane ticket AFTER I have my VISA in hand like you suggested, I’d like to preferably do the same (if possible) for my accommodation.
Besides the required docs that are on the registration form that France-Visas gives me is there anything else I need to bring as proof in order for a WHV Visa to be granted? (Accommodation, inward plane ticket, etc)
Thank you very much for the help!
Hi. If you look at your official checklist, neither proof of accommodation nor France-bound plane ticket is listed. I myself didn’t present either of them when I applied. The housing address is for reference purposes only and is not binding in any way.
Thanks for the reassurance! Appreciate the help.
Hi,
I am applying for the WHV from Toronto Ontario, I am in france right now for vacation waiting for my appointment at the VFS to get my WHV.
I finally found on appointment in Montreal because I never find any in Toronto.
I took that appointment but I saw after that on my application it says that my VFS is Toronto, can I still use Montreal to get it ? Do I need to change in my application and put Montreal instead of Toronto ?
I am going to fly back to Canada just for my appointment I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing
And after this appointment how long does it need to get the Visa ?
Thank you for your help !
Jorge
Hi Jorge. I’m not sure about this. I recommend that you contact VFS support to confirm. And please let us know here once you have the answer, thanks!
Hi Jackson,
I’m in a bit of a situation – I’ve been working in Paris on a WHV and it’s expiring in 2 months. I’d like to either renew or apply for a Talent Passport but I’m unable to do so online since I don’t have a foreign number.
The local Prefecture has also been unhelpful they’re confused. Do you know if I can apply for a status change from France or if I need to go back to Canada? I’m trying to avoid going back by all means.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Alireza. It’s true that WHVers do not have a foreigner number. APS holders do, however, get one. I don’t know much about the Talent Passport, but if you want a foreigner number and thereby gain access to the ANEF portal, you can apply for an APS. The steps are explained in https://pvtistes.net/en/extend-working-holiday-france/
Hi Jackson! When renewing my WHV do I need the criminal record check and medical certification? My appointment is in Vancouver this week and I cannot remember if I had those in my application the first time. Kind regards!
Hey it wasn’t required the first time, so it shouldn’t be the second time. Good luck 🙂
Hello would it be possible to apply for 24 months long stay visa upfront on arrival to France? also do you offer one on one consultancy on whv in France, i need tips on settling in , opening bank accounts etc
Hi Tosin.
1) You can only get a WHV for 12 months. But Canadians can extend their stay for another 12 months at the end.
2) See chapter 7 for tips on settling, housing, bank account, phone number etc
3) If you still have questions, you can sign up for one of our free online Q&A workshops https://pvtistes.net/en/bonsplans/workshops/
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